Grounds Maintenance Program

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Mission

To maintain the grounds on the The College at Brockport campus in an aesthetically
pleasing and safe condition. These areas include all turf areas, landscape plantings
and structures, athletic fields, sidewalks, parking lots and roadways.

Background

The grounds maintenance programs are initiated by the staff assistant of the Grounds/Automotive
Department under the guidance of the assistant director of Facilities and Planning.
Most of the labor-intensive work is performed by our own grounds maintenance staff
and custodial services staff. All pesticide applications are done through the services
of New York State-licensed pesticide applicators.

We have implemented an IPM program (Integrated Pest Management) into our maintenance
operation that includes field monitoring for weeds, insects and disease in the turf
and landscape plantings, establishment of pest tolerance levels, reduction of stress
on turf contributing to weed growth, and evaluation of management strategies. By following
an IPM program we make pesticide applications only when necessary and where the pest
exceeds tolerance levels. Applications of pesticides are done by a "target" treatment
method only to the plant or area infested. This method eliminates the need for blanket
application of pesticides, and reduces the amount of pesticide use. We do not do any
preventive pesticide applications on turf or landscape planting areas. Correct cultural
practices are a key element of our grounds maintenance program and include seeding
of turf areas with varieties which perform well in our area, fertilization per soil
test results, soil aeration, topdressing and mulching, proper mowing height, corrective
pruning and irrigation if possible. The intent is to maintain a healthy stand of turf
and plantings that will withstand occasional pest infestations and require only limited
use of pesticides.

Applications

Fertilizer

All applications are done as required to maintain the turf in a healthy condition.
This is to promote aggressive turfgrass growth with the intent to crowd out undesirable
weed growth. Soil samples are done on a rotating three-year schedule to determine
nutrient and pH requirements for good turfgrass growth. Some of our athletic fields
are soil tested one or two times a year. Most turf areas receive one application in
the fall and one application in the spring. Applications are generally granular in
nature. The source of nitrogen preferred is slow-release sulfur-coated methylene urea.
We are continuously looking into integrating some natural organic fertilizer into
our program. We have been testing several natural organic type fertilizers on some
turf areas throughout the campus, unfortunately at this time the natural organic materials
are much more expensive than other sources.

Herbicides

Weedkillers are currently used by target treatment, that is, spraying only the areas
that warrant the use of herbicides to eliminate an infestation that is severely competing
with the desirable turfgrasses. Our maintenance program does not include the broadcasting
of herbicides over the entire campus. Our goal is not to have a perfectly weed-free
turf, but turf that is of mostly desirable grasses that provide a safe and comfortable
ground cover. Broad-leaf weeds are controlled through the use of 2,4-D. and application
occurs at periods when the campus is least populated and athletic fields are not scheduled
for use.

Pre-emergents

Currently our program does not include the use of pre-emergent herbicides anywhere
on campus.

Total Vegetation Control

Total vegetation control is an important practice in our maintenance program. These
applications reduce tremendously the amount of manual weeding in many areas such as
fence lines, sign posts, parking lots, curb lines and sidewalks. The materials used
include Roundup and Scythe, usually as a mixture. This application is generally done
once and is done from late spring through the summer, depending on weed emergence
and growth.

Fungicide

Currently our program does not include the use of fungicides on campus.

Turf Insecticides

Currently our program does not include the use of insecticides on campus.

Tree and Shrub Spraying

Currently our program does not include the spraying of insecticides on our trees or
shrubs. Occasionally we will apply a dormant oil to plants severely effected with
scale to suffocate the insects.

pH Adjustment

Granulated sulfur is used when soil sample results indicate there is a need to lower
the soil pH for preferred pH levels. Soil samples have not indicated the need to apply
lime to raise pH levels to increase nutrient availability.

Cultural Practices:

Mowing

All campus turf areas are mowed weekly at approximately a 2 to 3 inch cut height.
Athletic fields are mowed weekly at approximately a 3 to 4 inch cut height during
the off season and from 1 to 2-1/2 inch cut during the playing season. During the
playing seasons the athletic fields are mowed two to three times per week to encourage
grass tillering and a denser surface. All grass clippings are left to decompose naturally
to return nutrients to the actively growing grass plants, a method coined as grasscycling.

Seeding

Worn, bare, thin and damaged turf areas are reseeded each spring and/or fall when
soil temperatures are between 45 and 65 degrees. All of the seeding on areas greater
then 100 square feet is done either by a mechanical sliceseeder or a hydroseeder;
smaller areas will receive seed through broadcasting. As members of NYSTA (New York
State Turfgrass Association), we are kept abreast of the "best" seed varieties available
to use in various situations in our area. "Best", being defined as disease- resistant,
requiring less fertilizer and/or water, resisting wear and tear, recovering from damage,
over competing with weeds, dark green in appearance and mowable without tearing. The
athletic fields require a more intense regimen of seeding practices because of the
wear and tear that they receive.

Aeration

Lawn areas that are damaged due to foot or vehicle traffic are core aerated and seeded
annually to reduce compaction and promote improved growing conditions. The athletic
fields are aerated from two to six times per year to relieve soil compaction as a
result of higher use intensity. Aeration can occur throughout the year when weather
allows; however, we try not to aerate during times of high weed seed germination,
determined by taking soil temperatures.

Irrigation

Nearly all of our turf areas rely on natural rainfall for irrigation and during summer
droughts many of these areas go dormant. Most of the athletic fields are irrigated
regularly.

Composting

During the fall all turf and areas that collect leaves are raked or vacuumed to pick
up fallen leaves. The grounds department has been composting these leaves since 1990.
The composted material is recycled back into the campus landscape as topdressing and
as a soil amendment in plantings.

Mulching

Throughout the year the department collects debris from tree and shrub pruning and
runs this material through a chipper to manufacture mulch. This material is then used
to keep weeds down in plant beds while reducing the need to irrigate these beds, around
trees to reduce and prevent mower and line trimmer damage and usage, as temporary
walkway material around construction sites and as a base underneath the playground
equipment at the daycare center, the exercise stations along the fitness trail, and
beneath the ropes course.